What Electrical Testing Does My Building Need?

Electrical inspections or testing is an essential component of maintaining your commercial building's safety.

To ensure that its occupants continue to work and avoid fires and other electrical risks, a commercial electrician should regularly perform electrical tests (also known as inspections).

Commercial buildings in New York City should also have commercial electricians inspect electrical components to ensure they meet local emissions guidelines.

By 2024, commercial structures must reach emissions standards or face steep financial penalties, which has prompted building owners to look at making changes to their buildings to meet the required levels.

Most importantly, electrical inspections are crucial to keeping facilities up to safety standards. Commercial electricians can help commercial building owners save money by identifying any issues with their wiring that could lead to expensive repairs or violations from the NYC Department of Buildings.

This article will cover the type of commercial electrical testing commercial buildings need for NYC and how commercial electrician services can save businesses time and money!

Learn more about commercial building electrical inspections in New York City below:

What Electrical Testing is Required for Commercial Buildings in NYC?

Electrical inspections are essential for the safety of your company's infrastructure.

You should schedule an electrical inspection regularly to keep your employees safe and avoid fires and other electrical dangers.

Scheduling an Electrical Inspection

Every commercial property owner should schedule an electrical checkup once a year. Doing so ensures that your business's electrical system is in good working order.

These checks help identify risks of electrical shocks and fires by allowing for the detection of imminent problems.

Your building's computer equipment, lights, and other electrical devices may be kept in excellent functioning order with regular inspections.

Inspections of the electrical system may also discover any required wiring repairs or replacements.

Wires, connections, conduits, and other components can wear down with time, leading to several issues, including outlets that don't work or lights that flicker.

In addition to being inconvenient and inefficient, these concerns put everyone's safety at risk. This is one of the most important reasons to have our electricians inspect your electrical system.

Commercial Electrician Services

Working with commercial electrician services like Kleinknecht Electric Company ensures that your building will comply with all NYC requirements, including the New York City Electrical Code.

What is Electrical Testing?

When your commercial electrician conducts an electrical inspection, they inspect the entire commercial wiring system.

This includes the service entry point where electricity enters from outside power sources and supply lines that distribute electricity throughout the buildings. The commercial electrician will check for any insulation damage, corrosion, and loose connections.

The commercial electricians in commercial building inspection may also run various tests to identify issues with wiring or equipment.

Testing can help pinpoint defective components that need repair or replacement.

Testing methods include an insulation resistance test on the electrical system's grounding electrode conductor and a continuity test on the commercial building's wiring.

What to Expect During Your Commercial Electrical Test

During your commercial electrical inspection, our professional, licensed electricians will inspect various elements of your electrical system.

They'll search for any problems to be addressed, so you don't have any electrical accidents. These checks include inspecting the quality of any current electrical work.

Other elements of your electrical system may be evaluated during a building inspection, including:

How suitable is the wiring technique for your facility?
The method used to connect the wires
How many bends are in each conduit?
Does your system need corrosion protection?

An electrical check usually entails checking electrical panels to verify that they comply with current regulations but are also suiting the needs of your building.

Because these standards are updated regularly, you may find out that your panels need an upgrade. Following through on the advice of your inspector may help you avoid unnecessarily high utility bills for outdated paneling or wiring.

Electrical testing is a valuable commercial building service that can help to identify and resolve serious problems before they become expensive repairs or safety hazards.

By scheduling commercial electrical inspections regularly, you'll lower your risk of running into trouble with emission violations while ensuring the comfort and well-being of your employees.

It would be best if you also had commercial electrical tests performed when you're preparing to sell or purchase a commercial building.

In addition, commercial electricians can help install new wiring and power sources in your commercial structure for renovations or expansions that ensure your building is well-suited for your purposes.

Do You Need an Electrical Inspection?

Commercial electrical inspections are critical.

Electrical systems are incredibly hazardous when installed or operated incorrectly; therefore, keeping them in excellent working order is critical to their operation as well as the safety of your building occupants.

To evaluate the condition of your system and remedy any concerns, commercial electrical inspection experts employ several tests and inspections.

Buildings and properties that are older than ten years may have outdated wiring or electrical systems.

A business electrical inspection can also reveal what components might be upgraded to keep systems functioning, increase property value, and ensure that tenants or employees are safe.

We know how important it is to have an electrical system that performs for your commercial needs.

Contact us for more information on how we can inspect your electrical system and suggest upgrades to enhance your building's functionality.

What Electrical Testing is Required for Commercial Buildings in NYC?

One of our qualified electricians should inspect your commercial building at least every two years to ensure safety and adhere to Local Law 97.

Since commercial buildings will need to meet stringent environmental protective guidelines progressively toward the 2024 goal, it is essential to start preparing your building now.

In addition to emissions guidelines, our commercial electricians can also help with electrical inspections and wiring installation for renovations or expansions.

Electrical testing is a valuable commercial building service that ensures the comfort of your employees, reduces the risk of legal trouble and costly repairs, maintains property value, and increases tenants' safety to up-to-code standards.

If you need an expert opinion on how best to keep your commercial property up to New York City standards for emission compliance, we're here waiting by the phone!

We'll answer all of your questions about what type of testing is required for NYC's commercial properties so that you know when professional, licensed electricians should perform commercial electrical inspections.

At Kleinknecht Electric Company, we not only offer commercial building inspections to ensure your employees' comfort and reduce the risk of expensive repairs or overpaying utilities.

We can also provide suggestions for electrical upgrades like energy-efficient lighting or air cleaning solutions that can increase your employee productivity and reduce your building's carbon output.

Rationale

Electrical inspections or testing is an essential component of maintaining your commercial building's safety.

An electrical inspection can help you catch electrical inefficiencies. Scheduling one with KEC can help you identify:

How suitable the wiring technique is for your facility.
The method used to connect the wires.
The number of bends in each conduit.
If your system needs corrosion protection.

One of our qualified electricians should inspect your commercial building at least every two years to ensure safety and adhere to Local Law 97.

In addition to emissions guidelines, our commercial electricians can also help with electrical inspections and wiring installation for renovations or expansions.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

,https://www.kecny.com

19 West 44th Street

Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

Benefits of Using Technology to Control Your Electricity

Technology, automation, and lighting controls are the future of managing commercial buildings.

Lighting control systems come with a number of benefits, including lowering maintenance costs, reducing electricity bills, doing it remotely, and saving money in the long run!

This article will discuss why your business needs to use technology and automation for lighting controls.

Types of Commercial Lighting Control Systems

Lighting control systems can be used for a number of purposes, including human comfort and efficiency.

Here are two different types of commercial lighting control systems your business could consider:

Human-centric Lighting

Commercial spaces are increasingly being built or converted to human-centric lighting or circadian lighting, which considers how lighting affects occupant well-being, productivity, and comfort in the home and commercial building environment.

LEDs are crucial to human-centric lighting design.

LEDs enhance productivity, and with the multitude of LED options, they are designed to help support human circadian needs.

Adjusting the temperature or color of the lights to mirror the sun’s illumination and time of day may reduce energy costs and improve well-being by stimulating natural rhythms.

Smart Lighting Controls

In addition to human-centric lighting, smart lighting controls are a great way to save money and reduce stress for building occupants.

Occupancy sensors can detect when a space has people in it and automatically turn off attached lighting systems when the room’s occupants exit.

Increasingly, smart LED lighting is available from a variety of manufacturers. Numerous firms offer smart LED lighting that is highly adaptable and can create any desired atmosphere or mood.

There are options for LED illumination products that may be altered using the full-color spectrum, including 16 million colors.

Light sensors can also be activated at certain times of day or night to save energy. An example is occupancy sensor switches in bathrooms and boardrooms, which turn off automatically when a room becomes vacant.

This helps reduce energy consumption for periods when no people are present in the space while still ensuring that they remain lit for safety reasons throughout the day.

Top 3 Benefits of Commercial Lighting Control Systems

Lighting control systems help businesses better manage lighter for efficiency, personal comfort, and operational needs.

Energy Efficiency for Your Business

Smart technology helps to automate the day-to-day operations of commercial enterprises. Business owners may turn on the lights, open the shades, adjust the building’s temperature, arm security, lock doors, and more.

All of these actions can be completed by the use of a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The efficiency of building management is increased while operational costs are reduced by shutting down systems when not needed.

Smart technology enables business owners to save money and time by eliminating many daily tasks usually completed by the owner or property managers, such as adjusting lighting throughout the day or opening and closing window coverings to keep a space at a comfortable temperature.

Another benefit is that some of these systems can automatically update and notify you when something may need attention (such as plumbing or HVAC issues) which means you won’t have to worry about it!

Increased Commercial Security Systems

Building owners may choose to integrate smart security systems, such as security cameras, alarms, door locks, and other devices, as part of a smart building system to monitor and secure an office complex, hotel, or retail space.

Like the remote building temperature, lighting, and energy management, buildings can be armed and disarmed remotely via phone or computer.

Smart systems can notify property managers and building owners via text message or email if abnormal behavior or activity is detected. Access to specific areas within a facility may be restricted to certain people at particular times, reducing the risk of theft or safety hazards.

Building automation allows security systems to operate at their full potential by integrating them with other devices to increase safety and allow for better management using technology.

Better Energy Management and Profitability

Smart building technologies enable commercial business owners to save and monitor energy expenses on a large scale. Lights, computers, and climate controls can be set to automatically adjust based on weather and seasonal changes or switched off in unused meeting rooms and retail stores after hours—resulting in significant utility cost savings.

Building and business owners are aware of energy consumption’s impact on profitability. One option for business owners with automated systems is Z-Wave technology.

Z-Wave works similarly to Wi-Fi systems and wireless communication systems. This monitors electrical consumption from each room in a building and integrates with other smart technology products to complete tasks such as automatically turning the power supply on or off, helping to conserve energy.

Technology and automation are ideal for reducing electricity bills.

One reason to use dimmable lighting in your building is that it reduces energy consumption when compared with standard incandescent light bulbs. If you have many lights in your business, this can add up to reduce the amount you need to pay each month.

Maintaining Commercial Lighting in Manhattan

The use of smart technology to control your building management is especially significant to buildings in New York City.

The New York City Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings is an ordinance that regulates the design, construction, and use of buildings throughout New York City.

The code establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for new commercial buildings and major renovations to existing structures. It also requires building owners to submit a report every three years on compliance with the code’s provisions.

The goal behind these laws is simple: helping to preserve the environment by reducing energy consumption.

There are many ways to reduce your energy consumption. Still, one of the easiest places to start is by looking at “retrofitting” your existing building with help from Kleinknecht Electric Company.

Commercial Lighting with Kleinknecht Electric Company

Technology and automation can make a big difference in how you design or update an old building! The NYC Energy Conservation Code requires all new and old commercial structures to meet specific minimum efficiency standards for water heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.

Integrating the use of smart technology as part of building management is crucial for building owners wishing to meet NYC energy standards.

At Kleinknecht Electric Company, we understand how important technology and automation are to reduce your maintenance costs.

If your building holds many lights or electronics, the chances are that there will be many problems needing to be fixed—which means hiring an electrician on staff or repeatedly paying for service calls.

However, if you use technology and automation in your business - things like dimmable lighting, occupancy sensors in your office, hallway lights, and smart technology—you can cut down on the amount of maintenance required.

If you want more information on how technology to control your building can work for your business, talk with our electricians who specialize in control engineering today!

Rationale

Lighting control systems, like human-centric lighting, lighting automation, and smart control sensors, come with a number of benefits, including:

Lowering maintenance costs
Reducing electricity bills
Remote energy controls
Better energy management
Increased commercial security
Increased profitability

Retrofitting or upgrading your current energy system to automated lighting controls will also help your business stay compliant under NYC’s Energy Conservation ordinance for commercial buildings.

Kleinknecht Electric Company can help business owners integrate smart technology as part of building management and to meet NYC energy standards.

Talk with our electricians who specialize in control engineering today!

Kleinknecht Electric Company

,https://www.kecny.com

19 West 44th Street

Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

Rewiring Your Business Property: The Dos and Don'ts

It's time to rewire your commercial property!

With electric rates rising and the effect of carbon emissions on the environment becoming a top concern for many, it makes sense to rewire your building’s electrical.

Rewiring your commercial building has numerous benefits.

Not only does this make buildings safer and more efficient for employees, building owners, and tenants; it allows for automation and further technological upgrades.

There are several things to know about rewiring. It is essential to understand what you're getting into when hiring an electric company to make electric changes, such as opening walls or changing the wiring route in an older building.

At Kleinecht Electric Company, we know that rewiring can sound like a significant undertaking. Still, fear not—we are here to give you the lowdown on the dos and don'ts of rewiring your commercial building so that you know what to expect when we arrive.

The Dos of Rewiring Your Commercial Building

Do Number One: Learn the signs that your building needs new wiring

A few of the signs that your electric wiring is faulty or inadequate are:

Old, cracked, or brittle wires
Flickering, buzzing lights
Circuit breakers trip frequently
Hot, vibrating, or scorched outlets
Frequent electrical shocks from outlets or machines
Burning smells

Business owners understand that keeping tenants or employees safe is paramount, but so are cost-saving measures.

Even if your building's electrical system is well-designed, it will need to be updated at some point.

Electrical systems may be improved by rewiring to meet business needs, increasing energy efficiency and safety, and completing this work safely is essential.

There are a number of factors to consider if you believe that your commercial building's electrical system isn't adequate for your needs or if we have suggested rewiring.

Do Number Two: Know the electrical demands of technology

It's critical to ensure that your IT system operates smoothly if you want to ensure success for your business or tenants.

Almost every industry requires a safe and secure IT system. Many older buildings in New York can benefit from rewiring to improve computers and other digital technology.

While high-speed internet connectivity is very reliant on adequate servers and internet service providers, modems, charging, and the use of multiple systems and machines can place too much stress on faulty or outdated wiring.

If you are hoping to make your business or building more efficient and save money, you may consider converting to smart technology.

Your facility's various devices are likely linked via technology infrastructure to handle communications, data, and security with outstanding dependability, precision, and speed.

All of these systems are connected through your building's wiring.

Consider a building's electrical infrastructure as a virtual central nervous system that supports various technologies.

As licensed electricians, we know that rewiring is the perfect solution for upgrading technology systems in your commercial property to accommodate smart appliances and devices.

New wiring solutions will be able to handle high-bandwidth digital signals from equipment such as computers, monitors, security systems or cameras, and electric-powered tools, and even allow for electric vehicle charging stations.

Do Number Three: Allow for modern commercial power demands

Many older structures in New York City were built with 60 or 120-amp electrical circuits. With technological progress, more machinery and equipment are now needed for connection.

Overall, electricity demand has increased, leaving these old circuits insufficient to power all of today's commercial facilities' electronics.

If you have an older building that has not been upgraded, your building's electrical system is likely outdated and requires rewiring.

Suppose you notice some signs of trouble, like lights that flicker when turning on another machine.

In that case, your equipment shuts itself off for no apparent reason, and you have extension cords running between different circuits; there is a good chance that your building requires an upgrade.

If you notice corrosion or other deterioration on the circuit panel, one of our electricians should replace your wiring. New, adequately insulated wires will reduce the high risk of fire due to voltage flow through exposed parts.

The Don'ts of Rewiring Your Commercial Building

Don't Number One: Forget about why rewiring is important

The electrical system of your commercial property is critical to keeping occupants safe and the business running smoothly.

If you're looking into rewiring, many benefits will give you peace of mind knowing that your wiring is updated.

Outdated or bad-quality wiring can have significant financial, operational, and other ramifications on a business. Commercial-grade wiring requires the expert work of licensed electricians.

It's a good idea to contact licensed electricians that specialize in commercial projects that can ensure that your business is up-to-date with the latest technology and make sure you're not losing any revenue due to faulty devices or appliances on older wires.

Rewiring also protects employees or tenants by ensuring their safety and comfort.

Rewiring can also improve your commercial electric system's efficiency, which will save you money on energy costs over time and help the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that generate electricity.

Don't Number Two: Forget about the importance of lighting

Lighting in commercial properties also has an impact on the emotional and physical well-being of workers. A business building's lighting is also a significant energy consumer and heat producer, and updating wiring ensures that energy-efficient lights and appliances can function correctly.

In the United States, roughly 12% of commercial electricity consumption is spent on illumination.

The right lighting system can be the difference between a dull work environment and one that is welcoming.

Incorporating energy-efficient lights with controls, electric sources, and natural light will give your office an aesthetic polish and make it easier on employees' eyes!

CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) or LEDs are perfect options because they last longer than traditional bulbs while still providing quality illumination—all reducing energy consumption, therefore minimizing financial costs as well as emissions.

Don't Number Three: Forget about the importance of electric control

As technology advances, electric controls become more sophisticated and integral parts of daily life at work or at home.

Electricity is now used for heating, cooling, ventilating, lighting, communications, and powering various appliances that help streamline your business operations—making electric controls critical for commercial buildings' success.

Rewiring your commercial building's electric systems ensures that new devices and appliances are compatible with the existing wiring system and allows for further additions later on down the road.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

Contact Kleinecht Electric Company to get a thorough evaluation of your commercial electric needs so we can tailor-fit an electrical solution for you!

The proper electrical system will save money, protect employees or tenants from dangerous hazards, and help businesses operate more efficiently.

Even if you don't require rewiring due to electrical issues or aging wires, you may consider upgrading for different reasons.

For example, if you're going to renovate, automate with smart systems, or install new equipment that will put a strain on your electrical system, rewiring is a good idea. If you want to add air conditioning or electric heating, this is especially important.

Our electricians at Kleinecht Electric Company can work with you to ensure that your business's electrical system is safe and can handle demands.

We are a licensed electrical contractor in New York City that specializes in electrical system rewiring and upgrades. Contact us today for a commercial building inspection or any one of our many services offered.

Rationale

With electric rates rising and the effect of carbon emissions on the environment becoming a top concern for many, it makes sense to rewire your building’s electrical.

Rewiring your commercial building has numerous benefits. Not only does this make buildings safer and more efficient for employees, building owners, and tenants; it allows for automation and further technological upgrades.

When it comes to commercial rewiring:

DO Learn the signs your building needs new wires
DO Know the electrical demands of technology
DO Allow for modern commercial demands

DON'T forget about the importance of proper electrical
DON'T forget about good lighting
DON'T forget about electrical control.

Is it time to rewire your commercial property?

Our electricians at Kleinecht Electric Company can work with you to ensure that your business's electrical system is safe and can handle demands.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

,https://www.kecny.com

19 West 44th Street

Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

Electrical Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Commercial Building

As a valuable commodity, electricity is a basic essential for businesses and commercial buildings. Commercial buildings rely on electricity for running day-to-day operations and providing safety and security for employees, sensitive information or products, inventory, and visitors to the site.

Preventative maintenance from a licensed electrician provides increased safety and energy efficiency to the building and those who use the facility daily.

Some commercial property owners have taken to providing a few energy awareness tips for their employees. One such tip is to make sure you turn off or unplug any devices that need electricity when not in use (such as cell phones, laptops, and monitors).

These are great energy-saving tips, but how about ensuring that your building’s electricity is in good working order? At Kleinknecht Electric Company, we have you covered.

Electrical preventative maintenance refers to routine checkups that also serve to prevent damage by inspecting electrical devices and components and is vital to ensuring that your commercial electrical system is operating to its maximum efficiency in the safest and environmentally responsible way.

We want to give you an idea of the basic approach to preventative maintenance and our best preventative maintenance tips for your commercial building to keep your building’s electrical system functioning properly and safely. Read on to find out more!

Commercial Building Preventative Maintenance

Even despite an efficient commercial establishment, preventative maintenance ensures that it is safe and energy-efficient, providing sufficient energy for its purpose while adhering to NYC Energy codes.

Preventative maintenance programs typically follow a set of procedures that perform the following tasks:

Inspect all building areas, including offices, kitchens, boardrooms, lounges, hallways, and bathrooms.
A thorough examination of inlets, outlets, circuit breakers, panelboards, and the electrical distribution system.
Inspections of commercial feeders and various pieces of electrical equipment.
Inspections and repairs of commercial electrical systems, including capacitors, wiring manifolds, and transformers.
Review of indoor and outdoor lighting
Many electrical systems (such as Class I, II, and III) require regular maintenance to ensure they are operating safely and effectively. A licensed electrician will assess your systems periodically and take action items for improvement if necessary.
Check the primary points of control for signs of overheating and deterioration.
Torque test and inspect electrical connections to specified levels.
Inspect transformers
Surveys of special occupancy units before and after a tenancy.
Once a power meter is shut down for maintenance, ensure it’s in good working condition before turning it back on.
Check the indicator lights, sensors, and warning systems to verify they are operating correctly.
Ensure the circuits for transformers rated over 1,000 volts have adequate protection.
Ensure that all room circuits have an adequate rating for the machinery connected.

Creating a Preventive Maintenance Checklist for Electrical Systems in Commercial Buildings

The idea behind preventive maintenance is to perform minor repairs and checks before the end of a piece of equipment’s life cycle instead of waiting for it to break and then needing emergency repairs.

For any maintenance checklist for a commercial building to reduce energy and emissions, commercial building owners need to consider critical factors. A building that has been taken care of by a licensed electrician can reduce energy costs, potential risk factors, and environmental concerns.

Other Benefits of Having a Licensed Electrician Perform Preventative Maintenance

Check for Defects

When maintaining a commercial establishment, it’s important to stay on top of electrical safety measures. Protective devices are in place for most modern commercial building power supplies, but they’re still susceptible to failure.

You can prevent system failure by making sure your business has an effective electrical preventive maintenance program.

The most common defect in electrical components is when they overheat, fail to start, or stop running altogether.

The best way to maintain your commercial building for safety and efficiency is by taking preventative measures with a licensed electrician’s help.

You will better protect your building from hazards that disrupt the power supply, such as lightning strikes, tripped circuit breakers, worn-out parts, and burning insulation.

As your local licensed electrician, we can also inspect your commercial building’s wiring for defects or damage.

We will also make sure that any necessary repairs are completed in a timely fashion so that your power supply is always running smoothly. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Instead, contact us to schedule regular preventative maintenance.

Save Lives

Neglecting electrical maintenance can result in death, injury, or property destruction. Periodic inspections by a professional will help eliminate this problem before it gets out of hand.

One of our licensed electricians will look for and repair charred outlets, loose plugs, and failing breakers, as these are signs that you may need a major electrical overhaul further down the road.

Save Money

While the most crucial reason to invest in routine electrical maintenance is safety, the second most important reason is money.

Think of your business as a car.

Some car owners will never miss an oil change; they have the car in for an inspection once a year, keep it clean, and give it great care.

These owners will find that their car will last them years. Other car owners will drive their new car off the lot and never take it to a professional until broken down.

They ignore the engine light and turn up the music every time they hear a nondescript rattle. Give it a couple of years, and these cars will be undrivable, rendering their owners stranded and forced to pay big money to fix them.

Your electrical system is much like that. Maintenance ensures that your entire system will last longer, so you don’t have to fork out the money for a complete overhaul.

How Often Should I Have Electrical Preventative Maintenance?

So now you know why electrical maintenance is essential, it’s time to talk specifics. While it does depend on your home or business and the electrical demands that the structure has, we recommend you have an inspection done once a year. Have an electrical expert come in to test and examine your electrical panel and share with them any concerns you may have. They will be able to assess and diagnose any issues that are current or oncoming.

With our comprehensive checklist of maintenance items and our skilled electrical experts, your building’s electrical system will last longer, and operate more efficiently, thereby saving you any downtime and money in the long run. We can complete these tasks quickly while working on any other projects that may also need our attention.

Ensure your business is safe, energy-efficient, and up to code by having one of our electricians visit your site for a routine inspection. If it has been more than a year since your building had a visit from a licensed professional, contact Kleinknecht Electric Company!

Rationale

Electrical preventative maintenance refers to routine checkups that also serve to prevent damage by inspecting electrical devices and components.

Preventative maintenance involves a checklist for annual or biannual check-ups, and often includes:

Commercial feeders and transformer inspection
Commercial electrical systems inspection, including capacitors, wiring manifolds, and transformers.
Reviewing indoor and outdoor lighting
Regular maintenance for Class I, II, and III systems
Check primary points of control for signs of overheating and deterioration
Torque tests

Ensure your business is safe, energy-efficient, and up to code by having one of our electricians visit your site for a routine inspection.

Contact Kleinknecht Electric Company to start your regular commercial preventative maintenance schedule today!

Kleinknecht Electric Company

,https://www.kecny.com

19 West 44th Street

Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

Signs That Your Building’s Electric Needs Upgrading

It's been a while since you've had your building's electrical system inspected, and now it's time to do so again.

It only takes one faulty wire for an electrical fire to start and this can lead to significant damage, loss of property, and potential loss of life.

Inspecting your electrical system can save your building and the inhabitants inside it.

This article will outline common signs that your building's electrical system is outdated and what to do about it.

The Signs of an Outdated Electrical System

There are telltale signs that the wiring in your building is aging, and if this is the case then you’ll need to replace parts of your electrical system.

1. Dimming Lights

The first sign that your electrical system might need upgrading is when you notice dimming lights.

This can happen for a number of different reasons, and it can be challenging to pinpoint the source of the problem.

One possible cause of dimming lights is a faulty connection in the electrical wiring. The wiring may have become dipped over time due to overloading or short circuits and will need to be upgraded to avoid this from happening again.

2. Old Circuit Breaker Panels

Old circuit breaker panels with outdated wiring will eventually cause problems. Circuit breakers switch out energy when there isn't enough to go around and are energy savers because they turn off specific circuits when they need to be turned off.

Some buildings have an upgradeable circuit breaker panel.

There is a good chance that when the original electrician made the old circuit board, the voltage was different than it is today.

A modern circuit board can handle higher energy demands before it needs to cut out energy (or trip).

The likelihood of overloading depends on your building location.

In New York City, we need more energy for the countless lights, traffic, skyscrapers, and people, so it's not uncommon for the system to overload due to an old circuit breaker panel.

3. Faulty Outlets

If you haven't already noticed, it's always a good idea to make sure your outlets work correctly and that the energy is running through them efficiently.

You'll also want to inspect for any signs of wear and tear on the outlet.

A licensed and experienced electrician will look for signs of any debris or dust build-up as well as an increased temperature.

These signs mean that it's likely that there's a problem with your electrical wiring.

Suppose you're noticing problems with power outlets but don't notice a change in energy usage.

In that case, it might mean that the energy is just being transferred to another part of the building where it is easier to access, which indicates something wrong with your current wiring system.

4. Increased Utility Bills

The energy that we use in our everyday lives contributes to climate change. Buildings are one of the most significant contributors to energy use and energy efficiency. The higher the demand for power, the higher the energy bills.

A typical electrical system works when power is transferred from different parts of the building depending on which energy sources are available and most accessible. Buildings with outdated wiring can't distribute power efficiently.

The energy output increases when the system needs to work harder to power the building; therefore, the bills also increase.

A great way to know if there's an issue with your electrical wiring is by paying attention to your energy usage. If you're noticing an increase in energy usage but aren't changing your energy-intensive habits, then there could be something wrong with your current wiring.

If you notice that your energy bills are increasing without reason, it is a good idea to consult Kleinknecht Electric Company about why your energy efficiency has plummeted.

It is often due to outdated wiring, and upgrading your building's electrical system will help you save energy and money.

5. Faulty and Damaged Wires or Cable

One of the signs of an outdated electrical system is faulty wiring or cables. Aside from noticing higher energy bills, you'll want to have an electrician look for another energy-efficiency issue going on inside of the building somewhere.

The cables or wires may not be carrying the electricity through the building properly, leaving the system inefficient, faulty, or even failing completely. In this case, it will require an energy-efficient upgrade or replacement.

Be on the lookout for flickering lights or outlets that don't work properly because these could be a result of outdated wiring.

Finally, older electrical cables are at risk of exposure due to dampness or destruction by a rodent infestation.

In these cases, then they might need replacing because they are causing a fire hazard.

What To Do if You Suspect Your Building Needs an Electrical Update

If you’d like to update your electrical system or you need to look for signs of aging, you first should get it inspected by a licensed electrician.

They will perform a professional inspection and inform you of problem areas, and areas that should be fixed in the near future.

Depending on your current system, you could upgrade your electrical to energy savings parts. Energy-saving upgrades can include energy-efficient light bulbs and energy "smart" switches that will automatically turn off the power when not in use.

The cost of an energy-efficient upgrade for your commercial building in New York City will depend on several factors but typically falls somewhere between $3,000 and $10,000 on top of labor costs.

The workers may experience issues with aging electrical wiring, so be sure to include room additional expenses in your budget.

A certified electrician from Kleinknecht Electric Company can inspect the quality of your wiring and recommend an energy-efficient upgrade if necessary.

If your building is not equipped for energy efficiency, then the KEC electrician might suggest upgrading major circuit breakers to handle modern appliances more efficiently as a first step in modernizing your building.

The Importance of Upgrading Your Building's Electrical System

New York City's energy efficiency is a big concern because energy use increases every year, and there is a significant impact on the environment as a result.

The city of New York has come up with energy-saving laws to help conserve energy and money. The NYC Department of Buildings will require some buildings to submit an Energy Efficiency Report (EER) every ten years.

The energy audit will help to identify areas where buildings can become more energy-efficient.

By 2030, New York City buildings will need to have their energy output reduced by 20%, so an electrical system upgrade can help you achieve this.

Reliable Electrical Upgrading and Maintenance With KEC

If you've been in business for a while, it may be time to take a look at your electrical system. As technology evolves and new energy sources become available, several benefits come from upgrading an outdated electrical system.

Commercial buildings can also benefit by improving their energy efficiency with updated wiring systems or installing solar panels outside on rooftops, reducing monthly operating expenses like electricity costs.

Kleinknecht Electric Company has experience assessing electric systems and is ready to discuss options for updating yours today, so give us a call!

Kleinknecht Electric Company

19 West 44th Street Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

https://www.kecny.com/

Cleaning Air in Closed Spaces: Fresh Air Ionization and UV lighting

With the global pandemic and its worldwide shutdown seemingly in our rearview mirrors, business owners everywhere are looking for ways to prevent the spread of germs inside their buildings and to minimize the impact of the coronavirus.

In conjunction with fresh air ionization, UV lights can sterilize the air that comes into your ducts to provide improved indoor air quality (IAQ).

Since the air quality in your business is extremely important, consider UV lighting as an affordable method for improving your IAQ. Keep your office air fresh, clean, and clear of particulates.

Why Should You Care About IAQ?

COVID-19 has highlighted how quickly viruses spread. As businesses are reopening in the US, many business owners need to take steps to ensure indoor air quality and employee or customer comfort levels are met.

Assessing your indoor air quality will allow you to identify if your building is letting in more allergens, pollutants, or contaminants. You can also install portable and easy-to-operate systems that clean particulates that are invisible to the naked eye, like viruses and airborne bacteria.

We often do not think about the bacteria that build up in our HVAC systems because we can’t see the air we breathe. However, HVAC systems do contribute to indoor air pollution, especially when ventilation is inadequate. Poor IAQ can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems and cause contagious microorganisms to spread.

UV light air purifiers and air ionizers can minimize the spread of airborne viruses and stop airborne allergens and pollutants from causing illnesses associated with sick building syndrome.

What is UV Light for Indoor Air Cleaning?

Most people associate UltraViolet (UV) light with harmful rays that come from the sun. However, UV light comprises three different wavelength types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. Each wavelength type does something differently; UV-C plays an essential role in some forms of air purification.

UV-C is commonly known as a germicide. It attacks harmful microorganisms by changing their DNA. Without UV-C filtration, these microorganisms would make their way into your business and get people sick.

When you have a UV light air purifier installed in your HVAC system, the UV lights will sterilize, disinfect and purify the air of these contaminants.

How Does a Fresh Air Ionizer Help Purify the Air?

Air ionizers emit ions that help the UV light air purifier stop harmful microorganisms from circulating inside your business.

Here’s how it works:

Oxygen molecules combine with other elements to make up the air we breathe.

So when the oxygen in your building passes through the UV light air filter, it looks to bond with other elements. To bond oxygen molecules to particles, the air ionizer charges the outgoing air with electromagnetism. This allows the oxygen to bond with these other particles quickly.

So, when this air passes through the UV light air purifier again via circulation, it is easy to catch and stop recirculating particles.

The addition of a fresh air ionizer to the UV light air purifier for your building will increase the cleanliness of your IAQ by trapping the contaminants in the air.

How a UV Light Air Purifier and Air Ionizer Helps Your IAQ

It is crucial to use a UV light air purifier with an air ionizer to protect your business and your employees from harmful air particulates, poor IAQ, viruses, allergens, and other debris that can get into your business.

Installing a UV light air purifier with an air ionizer as part of your business’s HVAC system can improve your IAQ by minimizing the recirculation of pollutants, allergens, and airborne illnesses like COVID-19.

A UV light and air ionizer installed in your HVAC system can purify and filter the air reducing the recirculation of:

Viruses
Fungi
Bacteria
Mold

Because the air is neutralized and sterilized rather than being destroyed with harmful chemicals, the IAQ is improved. These systems are so effective that UV lights are already standard in hospitals and labs to disinfect surfaces and instruments.

If you currently have an air filter attached to your business’s HVAC system, your space is currently protected against dust and other larger airborne pollutants (like pet hair) that might circulate. These filters won’t stop microscopic airborne particles like viruses and bacteria.

Improve Your Air Quality with Kleinknecht Electric Company

Using UV-C light and an air ionizer in your business’s HVAC system can reduce the number of airborne particulates in your workspace. As a result, you will be protecting your employees and anyone who uses the building regularly.

Many commercial buildings and facilities use closed air with older and inadequate ventilation. Therefore, the spread of airborne microorganisms is higher. However, with UV lighting and fresh air ionization, you can remove a large number of bacteria, viruses, mold, and microorganisms that a traditional air filter can't catch.

Kleinknecht Electric Company can help add UV lights and an air ionizer to your HVAC system to add a layer of sanitization and air purification.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

19 West 44th Street Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

https://www.kecny.com/

Energy Efficient Lighting and Why it is Important

Have you ever considered what an impact your lights have on your utility bills? How about the environment?

We all know that turning a light off when leaving a room will help conserve energy, but there are other ways to do the same.

Some technologies, like energy-efficient lighting, can help you be more efficient and they require no effort after they are installed.

Read on to learn more about energy-efficient lighting and why your home needs it!

Energy Expenditure With Normal Lighting

Your building needs good lighting to make it comfortable, safe, and functional. But, having adequate lighting does not mean you have to sacrifice efficiency.

Lighting accounts for about 9% of your electricity bill, which can increase with the size of the building. In fact, an average residential home has 67 light bulbs. On top of that, regular incandescent bulbs use about 25-80% more energy than energy-efficient lightbulbs.

Considering that most commercial properties are much larger than residential spaces, with a higher base rate, commercial businesses could be expending a lot more energy and costs than they realize.

Energy-efficient lighting systems passively conserve energy in homes and businesses.

So updating the lighting systems can allow home and property owners to save money on utility bills and help the environment, all without any ongoing effort.

How Energy-Efficient Lighting Conversion Can Do More For Your Home or Business

One of the more inexpensive ways to conserve energy is to upgrade to energy-efficient lighting. Adding energy-efficient lighting is quick and easy. It also modernizes your space and could connect you to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home technology.

Add some lighting controls, such as occupancy sensors or smart home devices, to increase your cost and energy efficiency. In fact, replacing just five lighting fixtures with energy-efficient lighting fixtures can help you save $75 a year in utilities, according to ENERGY STAR.

Installing energy-efficient lighting throughout your building is an excellent way to invest in your facility and save money in the long run.

Energy-saving lighting can also add security, create ambiance, and provide light for an office or workspace. These lights are available in many colors, and brightnesses, and typically last longer than the old bulbs (up to 25 times longer).

4 Major Reasons to Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting

There are many benefits to switching to energy-efficient lighting, and here are a few:

1. Enhanced Lighting Quality:

Retrofitting your building to energy-efficient lighting can enhance and improve your light quality by focusing on areas with historically poor lighting.

With new technology, you can reduce light quality problems (which can pose a hazard sometimes) by enhancing color, increasing light output, minimizing flickering, and reducing glare.

2. Energy Savings:

You will immediately reap some benefits as soon as your outdated system is replaced with an energy-efficient one, including a reduction in your utility bills.

When you upgrade your lighting elements to more progressive and efficient technology, your retrofit will reduce your energy consumption, lower your energy bills, and improve light level and quality. Your building will have better lighting control, additional energy savings, and improved security.

3. Reduction in Maintenance:

This type of lighting is virtually free of maintenance. The longevity of lighting components has increased in recent years, which means that consumers will experience fewer failures and, therefore, more time between repairs or maintenance.

Lighting retrofits are usually replacing very outdated lighting fixtures and ensuring energy savings and that new technologies have improved quality.

4. Reduction in Carbon Footprint:

Electrical production and expenditure negatively impact the environment. Energy is produced in large energy production plants that release pollutants into the air.

These plants significantly impact acid rain, global warming, and other environmental considerations. When you consume less energy, you are contributing to reducing harmful emissions!

Professionally Retrofit Your Building to Energy-Efficient Lighting Systems

One of the best ways that you can conserve energy in your building is to replace lightbulbs, but you can also change out the wiring, ballasts, and light fixtures.

This is good money sense. The improved lighting quality pays for itself in under seven years.

Trying to match existing fixtures and ballasts to energy-efficient lightbulbs can be difficult. Instead, you may need to buy new fixtures.

You should hire a professional electrician to replace your fixtures. This will ensure that your project is completed safely and are up to code.

You will also benefit from a reliable and high-quality system. Unless you yourself are trained or practiced in wiring, it’s best to go with a professional install for new light fixtures, ballasts, and bulbs.

When correctly installed, energy-efficient lighting can deliver reduced electricity demand and lower operating costs. You will also receive improved lighting quality, increased productivity, a lower carbon footprint, and superior light distribution. All of which are more than likely important to you.

Why Upgrade Your Lighting With Kleinknecht Electric Company

Buildings should have their lighting upgraded to money and reduce energy demands.

There are a few reasons that you might also consider upgrading or need to upgrade your lighting:

Outdated Technology: There have been significant changes in lighting technology in recent years. Replacing your fixtures and lights will not only improve your efficiency, but you will also see an increase in the lifespan of your fixtures and their quality.
Excessive Lights: Many buildings have lights that are always on for safety purposes. Too many lighting components were installed at the original installation in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and now are unnecessary. Installing motion sensors to trigger the lights to turn on is one way to retrofit them.
Under Maintained: Lights are often under-maintained. Dust, dirt, and debris can gather on them, leading to reduced efficiency and poor light quality.
Usage: If your building has a lighting system that must be kept on continuously, small changes will make significant gains.

Trust in Kleinknecht Electric Company. We are up to date on energy-efficient lighting and we understand the significant benefits your business can receive with improved lighting.

Our technicians are knowledgeable about best practices and are happy to work with you to answer any questions you have to make your building more energy-efficient. With an upgrade to energy efficiency, you will reduce your energy consumption and save money.

Contact Kleinknecht Electric Company here to discuss your electrical needs.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

19 West 44th Street Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

https://www.kecny.com/

How to Save Money with LED Conversion

If you are noticing a lot of talk about LEDs lately, you are not alone. There is much buzz about them—and with just cause.

LED technology has evolved into an affordable option for every office or business.

At Kleinknecht Electric Company, we choose to upgrade to LED lighting for any commercial or industrial renovations, retrofits, or improvements to conserve energy. What’s more, doing so not only helps the environment but helps you to save money.

Why Switch to an LED Conversion

The Department of Energy lists the benefits of using LED bulbs as:

25-80 percent energy savings versus traditional incandescent bulbs
LED bulbs last 3-25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs

Replacing your lighting fixtures means that you will reduce your energy consumption and save money. Your initial investment will pay off in a short time.

In fact, you will see savings if you swap only your most-used bulbs for LEDs and gradually replace the others.

Many businesses are concerned about their sustainability. One of the best tips for improving sustainability is to select energy-efficient lighting. While incandescent lights are cheaper, LED bulbs are of excellent quality and efficiency.

With their installation, you receive many benefits, two of which are saving money in energy savings and reducing maintenance costs.

Not only are you able to save money by installing LED lights and fixtures, but since NYC enacted Local Law 97, if your existing building is over 25,000 square feet, you will need to reduce your emissions by 40% before 2030 and 80% before 2050 and LED lights will help get your building there.

Look to your savings in the long term, and you can see the quick and easy return of investment possible for your business when you switch your lights to LED options.

Here is some information to keep in mind when you are considering a switch:

Incandescent Bulbs vs. Light Emitting Diodes (LED)

The first thing you should do when deciding about switching to more efficient LED lighting is to learn about the most popular types of bulbs.

Incandescent Bulbs

Traditional incandescent bulbs are inefficient. So much so that from each watt of an incandescent light bulb, 95% is wasted. So, you are paying for 100% of the cost and getting 5% of the power.

These numbers really make you hesitate to flip the light switch, don’t they?

Energy inefficiency aside, the bulbs themselves are fragile. Even screwing them in the wrong way or nudging them can lead to a break.

Incandescent bulbs last about 1000 hours. LED bulbs last from 10 to 30 times longer.

Yet, these bulbs remain popular. This is especially surprising given their energy inefficiency and durability issues. There are a few reasons why they remain popular:

They are cheap to manufacture
People know incandescent bulbs from years of use
They are easier to make than LED bulbs with advanced technology within

Switching to LEDs from traditional incandescent light bulbs helps the environment, saves maintenance, and you can save more money.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)

Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are the most recently developed type of energy-efficient light bulb.

They also happen to be the most efficient and longest-lasting.

Their technology is powered by chips that turn energy into light. In the case of ENERGY STAR-certified LEDs, they are about five times more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Because of the computer chip control, owners of smart devices favor LEDs as the level of lighting can be controlled via Bluetooth-connected devices.

Not only can the level of ambient lighting be changed from warm white to cool white, but the colors can also be altered on LEDs.

As they last longer than conventional bulbs (and from 8-25 times longer than halogen bulbs), the cost of converting to LEDs is counterbalanced by the savings in energy consumption.

Initial Costs of Converting to LEDs

One reason some business owners are hesitant to switch to LEDs is the sticker price.

LED bulbs have decreased in cost since they were first introduced to the market, but they are still more costly to purchase than incandescent bulbs. Though converting to LEDs might seem like an expensive undertaking, the switch pays for itself due to its efficiency.

How to Save Money with LED Conversion

The initial costs of converting your office or business to LED are not where the savings lie. This is typical of most retrofits.

From LED conversion for electrical efficiency to low-flow plumbing conversion for water conservation, retrofitting for improved efficiency is an investment in your business.

The most crucial cost-saving is the amount you will need to spend to keep the lights on. And this is where you will get your return on investment.

These are the most important numbers to keep in mind:

LED bulbs use only 10 watts to an incandescent bulb’s 60-watt usage (or more).
At a rate of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, an LED costs only $30 to keep lit for the duration of its 25,000-hour lifespan. An incandescent would cost about $180 for the same amount of time.

However, you will not get the same mileage out of a traditional incandescent bulb as you will from an LED bulb.

A conventional incandescent light bulb lasts only about 1,200 hours. As office buildings have multiple light fixtures, the amounts add up, especially in a building that needs some lighting 24 hours per day.

And when you retrofit your light fixtures to be energy efficient, you are compounding your savings. Your initial LED installation will pay for itself in no time.

Switch With KEC

If you are looking for an easy way to save money in your business, contact Kleinknecht Electric Company. to discuss your options for switching to LED lighting.

Not only will the investment in your office building be worth retrofitting or installing LEDs because of the reduced maintenance and energy efficiency, but you will also save money.

Kleinknecht Electric Company

19 West 44th Street Suite 500

New York, NY

10036

(212) 728-1800

https://www.kecny.com/